Safety Training and Vocational Certification eLearning Platform Poised for Continued Growth
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ridgemont Equity Partners, a middle market private equity investor, today announced the acquisition of American Safety Council (“ASC” or the “Company”), a leading national provider of mandatory training, education, and certification solutions to regulated end markets. ASC distributes 100% of its life-saving content in digital format and focuses on workplace safety, driver safety and vocational certifications. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“ASC has an outstanding management team, led by John Comly, and a uniquely scaled, national platform with nearly two million customers and over four hundred online courses that help people lead safer and more productive lives,” said Rob Edwards, Partner at Ridgemont. “We have followed the business and its impressive growth trajectory for many years and are very pleased to partner with the ASC team to continue to invest in its content and technology and to actively pursue M&A opportunities in adjacent end markets.”
“There has been an ongoing paradigm shift of learning environments gravitating from the classroom to a digital setting, and the current public health crisis has accelerated this movement,” said Charles Anderson, Partner at Ridgemont. “Additionally, the U.S. regulatory landscape has become more stringent in many training and continuing education segments. ASC is extremely well-positioned to provide trusted, high-quality content in a user-friendly online format, and Ridgemont is excited to embark on this next chapter of growth alongside the Company’s management team.”
“Our new partnership with Ridgemont and their team’s strategic and financial support will further propel our business and enable us to advance our capabilities,” said John Comly, CEO of American Safety Council. “We have a purpose-built platform for organic growth and M&A, alongside a winning culture at ASC. Ridgemont shares our vision to build American Safety Council into the leading provider of online training, education and vocational certification in regulated end markets.”
Financing for the transaction was provided by Benefit Street Partners LLC, AB Private Credit Investors and funds and accounts sub-advised by Churchill Asset Management LLC. Alston & Bird LLP provided legal services to Ridgemont. Robert W. Baird & Company served as financial advisor to American Safety Council and William Blair served as financial advisor to Ridgemont.
About American Safety Council
Based in Orlando, Florida, American Safety Council provides critical training and education to more than two million customers each year. ASC collaborates with federal and state agencies, higher learning institutions, trade associations and iconic industry brands to ensure the content of the Company’s online courses is best-in-class and compliant with applicable laws, regulations or industry standards. American Safety Council is committed to helping people live safer, more productive lives with current training offerings focused on workplace safety, driver safety, and other vocational certifications. www.americansafetycouncil.com
About Ridgemont Equity Partners
Ridgemont Equity Partners is a Charlotte-based middle market buyout and growth equity investor. Since 1993, the principals of Ridgemont have invested approximately $4.4 billion. The firm focuses on equity investments up to $250 million in industries in which it has deep expertise, including business and industrial services, energy, healthcare, and technology and telecommunications. www.ridgemontep.com
Contacts
Kelly Lineberger, 704-944-0914
klineberger@ridgemontep.com
